State helps target disease carriers

Monday

Jul 28, 2014 at 12:01 AMJul 28, 2014 at 8:04 AM

Ohioans out enjoying the summer weather should be reassured that their state health department is back on the case this summer, sleuthing out populations of mosquitoes that might carry the deadly West Nile virus.

Ohioans out enjoying the summer weather should be reassured that their state health department is back on the case this summer, sleuthing out populations of mosquitoes that might carry the deadly West Nile virus.

The Ohio Department of Health had to cancel its mosquito-testing program last summer because of federal budget cuts. Columbus and Franklin County carried out their own testing, but other cities and counties didnít have the resources to do so. Good for state legislators for recognizing this public-health threat to their constituents and restoring funding for the program in the budget bill that took effect on July 1.

Testing for disease is important because it shows cities whether and where to spray for infected mosquitoes. Otherwise itís just a guess. In mid-July, the state testing program detected West Nile in Hanover, a village in eastern Licking County.

West Nile is a nasty customer for about 1 in 5 people who are bitten by carrier mosquitoes.

Sufferers develop symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. About 1 percent can develop neurological problems, which can be fatal.

Last year, two people in Columbus contracted the illness, and there were 24 known victims statewide. Three people died.

Though Columbus Public Health will be spraying for mosquitoes (visit http://bit.ly/1rFBy6P for a map of locations and dates), residents can do their part to protect themselves by eliminating standing water on their properties, unclogging gutters and fixing screens in doors and windows.